Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
Converts fahrenheit to celsius (°F to °C) and back. The conversion factor is shown below every result.
How to Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
What Is a Fahrenheit?
Fahrenheit (°F), the everyday US temperature scale, puts water's freezing point at 32°F and its boiling point at 212°F.
What Is a Celsius?
Degree Celsius (°C) is a temperature scale where 0°C is the freezing point of water and 100°C is the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure.
Common Fahrenheit to Celsius Reference Points
Real-world reference values for quick sanity checks.
| Item | Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Water freezes | 32 °F | 0°C |
| Room temperature | 70 °F | 21.1°C |
| Body temperature | 98.6 °F | 37°C |
| Water boils | 212 °F | 100°C |
| Reference values are illustrative approximations for common items, not measured specifications. | ||
Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion Table
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| -40 °F | -40 °C |
| 0 °F | -17.777778 °C |
| 32 °F | 0 °C |
| 50 °F | 10 °C |
| 68 °F | 20 °C |
| 72 °F | 22.222222 °C |
| 98.6 °F | 37 °C |
| 100 °F | 37.777778 °C |
| 150 °F | 65.555556 °C |
| 212 °F | 100 °C |
| Source: NIST SP 811, Appendix B (°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9) | |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value, then multiply by 5/9. For example, (98.6°F − 32) × 5/9 = 37°C.
What is normal body temperature in Celsius?
98.6°F converts to 37°C using the formula above. Normal body temperature varies by person and time of day, so this is a commonly cited average, not a precise threshold.
Why is the formula (F-32) × 5/9 instead of just multiplying?
Fahrenheit and Celsius have different zero points (32°F vs 0°C both mark water's freezing point) and different degree sizes, so the conversion needs both a subtraction and a multiplication, unlike a pure ratio conversion like miles to kilometers.
Related Temperature Converters
A good measuring tool marked in both °F and °C removes the guesswork at the point of use.